Saturday, January 5, 2013

Art Show - the stress and joy

We have been painting for the past twelve months in anticipation of Coastal Cottages Series Eleven which opens on January 24, at Guppy's, 1701 Gulf Blvd. Indian Rocks Beach Florida.

Violetta Chandler painting her thrid of a triptych at Indian Rocks Beach. Photo Karin Altpeter

My art partner Russian born Violetta

Mary Rose Holmes painting at Indian Rocks Beach - Photo KarinAltpeter

and Mary Rose Holmes a seventh generation Floridian and myself, Irish born Helen Tilston have been painting and exhibiting together for the past twelve years. We call ourselves "The Plein Aire Cottage Artists.Someone who stopped and chatted one day as we painted en plein air commented, you should have called yourselves the IRA (Ireland, Russian and America) to which his smart spoken friends responded "yeah but your weapon of choice is a paintbrush". Our motto is peace.

Helen Tilston painting in Sarasota Florida Photo Jeannine Mullen

Final touches are being put on our paintings, frames are being fitted and now what we will wear on opening night is on our mind.

Many out of town guests are attending. If any of you happen to be in or near the Gulf Coast of Florida, let me know and I will give you a personal docent tour.

63 comments:

Helen I just left Florida. Oh how I would have loved both meeting you and viewing your paintings in person. As was with our trips to Ireland, we seem to be "two ships passing in the night". Best wishes for a wonderful opening night and a successful exhibit. Bonnie

Dear Helen -Happy New Year! When I was drawing and painting, I enjoyed it most in the company of other students. How wonderful to work alongside your colleagues and fellow artists. For us out-of-towners, I hope you'll share photos of the opening / exhibition. Have a wonderful time ~ kindest regards, Loi

Thank you for your good wishes. I felt you had a painting background with your keen knowledge of tone sur tone. I find working with my art partners to be a never ending lesson. When I am away from them for a period and return, I count my blessings that I am painting with the two best artists in the USA. I will indeed do a post on the opening.Wish you were here

Helen, Happy New Year! How wonderful to have a show of your beautiful work! I am not an artist and I have so much admiration for your talents. I second Loi's comment, please show more of your beautiful work and the opening on your blog!

Hooray! Oh how I wish that I could be there in person and yes, add me to the list of those that hope you will share. Wishing you a New Year as gorgeous as your paintings...and that is saying something!! :)xo,H

Happy New Year! I always look forward to your posts from Florida - the sunshine and camaraderie shines through in the photos and lights up everything. It is a delight to behold! As of last year, my husband's parents have begun wintering in Florida every year. We won't be able to visit them this year but hopefully next year. Best wishes for a successful exhibition!!

Your keen eye for art has my art work figured out. I think I will go shopping in my wardrobe for something to wear. I will certainly post pictures. Thanks for your good wishes and may your week be very special

Dear Helen, What wonderful paintings, full of light and colour. Just the thing to cheer me on a drear English Monday!Do please tell us of your private view outfit, I do so wish I could be whisked to Florida and see you and your paintings in real life!. Have a very happy and successful time. Jane xx

Hello AnitaIt is indeed so exciting to paint en plein air, the light, sounds and scent all add to the painting. I think I got too much sun yesterday as I was painting into the sun. Your good wishes are much appreciated.Helen x

How lovely to connect via the delicious Hattatts. They have become the dearest of friends to me. Blogging is ever more dear to me for that is how we met. I so look forward to discovering more of your talent here. I envy your being in that wondrous part of Florida right now . . . as I look out on blankets of snow. Happiest of New Years! Carol

Hello Carol and a big warm and heartfelt welcome to my blog.I am so happy to know you and to think you have spent time with my fond friends, whom I have yet to meet. Florida is a very special state and particularly this time of year. Thanks again for your kind words and looking forward to future visits.

Helen,To see what you see, to paint with the spirit and soul you so effortlessly create is a desire of mine. I use to tell my mother I want to retire in a commune of sorts like an artist compound of beauty where one has nother better to do but paint, and that being the best part of the day.You seam to have that little compound going for you, where you can sit and listen to what life tells you to paint. Having soul partners make it that much more inspiring.I posted awhile back in an older post an ocean oil painting on a hard canvas board, it was a board I painted off something to then paint over on it, only as a trial to what ended up something of soul and beauty.It's not what we look at its really what we see, and you my dear see the beauty in all you paint. How excited and nervous I would be to paint along side of you, making you my new best painting buddy.

Have a beautiful weekend, let it tell you what next to paint.XoxDore

Ps. Thank you Helen for supporting and encouraging my art and how I look at it.

Your art and creativity inspire me very much. You have such style, grace and originality.

Having two art partners whose work I admire so greatly I feel has raised the bar and I feel very grateful to have met them.I am heading over to your blog to refresh my memory on the painting you speak of.

Happy New Year to you. I'm awfully excited for you. But keep calm and carry on. I hope you are having a fabulous time with all the preparation for the opening night. It is a bit daunting to get everything organised before then but I'm sure that everything will come together. "weapon of choice is a paintbrush". "Our motto is peace". Well said and arresting phrases my dear.

Without the arts and the artists, our lives and emotions will be impoverished - the sun will set forever - a place in which there can be no peace. With warm wishes, ASD X

PS. Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog. Your support and encouragement mean so much to me and I shall treasure your pearls like words.

Thank you and a very Happy New Year my good friend. You say it well when you say enjoy the preparation. It is staying in the present and enjoying what each day brings and being grateful. We are very much looking forward to the opening and the response has been very favourable.

Our lives would indeed be impoverished with the arts and your spectacular writing brings so much joy. I do hope you publish soon.